THE Puissance Wall was always and will always be the most exciting part of the Horse of the Year Show for me.

When I was a horse-mad teenager, I would be moved to tears by the pluck of the horses and I'd marvel at the skill of the riders - as soon as it was over I'd rush out to my own pony and build my own version of the red brick wall to leap over - imagining the cheers of the crowds as I cleared possibly two feet.

Probably the most famous of all showjumping competitions, it's the sudden death nature of the puissance that adds to its attraction - and the fact it is a vertical wall that makes .

It's quick and there's no messing about - riders come in quick succession, they jump a couple of warm-up fences and then its onto the wall.

If they clear it, they move onto the next round, if they don't - they're out. And after each round, the wall gets bigger, and bigger, and bigger.

The highest a wall has ever been jumped was in 1991 in Chaudfontaine, Belgium, when German rider Franke Sloothaak broke his own record when he cleared a massive 7ft 10ins on Optiebeurs Golo.

Just last year, at HOYS, Olympia, Douglas Duffin cleared 7ft 3ins on Volcano - it was the first outright win in the Puissance competition seen at HOYs since 2009.

Unlike in the old days, when the contest just went on until only one rider remained, it now only stretches to a maximum of five rounds, so any riders making it that far share the prize.

For those keen to give the contest a keener edge, there's the bareback puissance - our very own Robert Whitaker cleared 6ft 9ins on Waterstone II at the Stockholm International Horse Show.

To watch Robert as he clears the jump without moving an inch from his perfect jumping position is quite amazing, and never fails to induce in me a desire to try the same thing - albeit a trotting pole at the most.

But the puissance is not the highest of showjumping contests. That honour goes to the equestrian high jump - the record of 8ft 1ins was set right back in 1949 at a competition in Chile by the fabulously named Captain Alberto Larraguibel Morales.

The Chilean army officer 's 65 year record, set at the Official International Event, remains one of he oldest unbroken records in history.

The British record was set at Olympia in 1978 by Nick Skelton when riding Everest Lastic; he cleared 7ft 7ins. Interestingly, the highest a man has ever jumped is 8.25ins, achieved by Cuban Javier Sotomayor in 1993; and by a woman, 6ft10.25ins by Stefka Kosfidinova in 1987.

So, for all fans of the puissance, a treat is in store at Gargrave Show on Saturday, August 16, when the Big Wall will form the main entertainment of the day - certainly with all of the area's horse riders.

Unless one of the Whitaker family is intending to enter, its not likely to reach towering heights, but it''ll certainly draw the crowds.

Having decided to introduce the event to its horse and pony section, organisers were stuck with finding a wall - and to their delight, Croft Top Equestrian Centre, Rising Bridge, Accrington, offered them theirs for the day.

The competition will kick off at 2pm in the main ring and there will be separate sections for horses and ponies, the winner of each section will receive £100, donated by Dales Dairies of Town Head Farm, Grassington; and Craven Country Ride, Coniston Cold.

There is no entry fee for the contest, but those wishing to enter need to contact show secretary Sarah Davidson beforehand to get a showground ticket.

Horses and ponies are for many the main attraction of Gargrave Show, which is held in front of Eshton Hall and which includes a minibus taxi service from the village.

The horse and pony schedule is packed as always, and includes both showing, riding and showjumping classes.

The very best from the area will be competing in working and ridden hunter classes, clear round showjumping - something of another crowd pleaser - and pony showjumping. There will also be shire horse classes and Shetland Pony classes, and of course, mounted fancy dress.

Anyone interested in taking part in Gargrave's Big Wall should call Sarah 01756 701571. For more details of Gargrave Show, visit the website gargraveshow.org.uk